Community paramedic program will support behavioral health

As Weiser Memorial Hospital was kicking off a week-long 75th anniversary celebration starting May 12, Southwest District Health announced a new partnership with Weiser Ambulance District being launched as a Community Paramedic Program.

 A one-of-a-kind pilot project, Weiser’s Community Paramedic Program will support individuals throughout Washington County who are experiencing behavioral health crises or need help navigating mental and emotional health resources.

 Catching up with Weiser Ambulance District Director Alan Foster and the new program’s Lead Paramedic Ashley Lynn at Wednesday’s, May 14, Community Health Fair, the pair gave the Signal American an overview of the program’s focus.

 “This started two years ago, prior to my taking over as the ambulance director,” Foster said. “I was fortunate enough, when we were ready to implement it, to kind of head the program. Then, I was able to hire Ashley as our community paramedic. She has taken the reins and really headed up all of the information gathering, state licensures, and all of the networking with collaborating agencies, including our police departments, fire departments, hospital, clinics…all of that.”

 Foster said the new program is funded through a four-year grant. 

 “This grant is very unique, in that there aren’t any other real community paramedic programs focused on mental health and wellness, and substance abuse,” he said. “Right now we are funded for the next four years in the development and implementation of this program, and hopefully, we’ll be the model for the path forward.”

 Lynn said the program is an enhancement to the Weiser Ambulance District’s Advanced Life Support designation, with additional licensing.

 “It’s additional training paramedics go through, above and beyond what a regular scope of practice a paramedic would be,” Lynn said. “People that work as a community paramedic are focused on specific patient needs. What’s really unique with us is we are focused on the substance use disorder of behavioral health support, and so it’s a one-of-a-kind program that doesn’t exist anywhere else. It’s a pretty cool pilot program to be able to do that.”

 Foster said a main goal is to provide educational support to all of the area’s emergency services.

 “We want to make sure police and fire are educated to the point where they are able to manage these crises a little bit better,” Foster said. “And then, the overall focus is that we are making sure the patients we’ll see have the resources they need. That they get the appropriate resources they need, and don’t end up in jail where they aren’t going to get help, or they’re not going to end up in the ER for a day and then kicked loose.”

 Backing up the thought, Lynn added, “If they have to figure it out on their own, that can be a scary thing. Like, where do you start, who do you call, what do you do? That’s what we’re here for, to be alongside them on their journey.”

 Southwest District Health said the Community Paramedic Program will provide individual support for community members and divert non-emergency situations away from law enforcement and hospitals. 

 “Lynn will offer training to the first responder community on crisis intervention and de-escalation,” the news release read. “Funding for this program was made possible by the Partnership for Early Diversion grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and will allow everyone in Washington County to have access to it at no cost.”

 To access Lynn’s services as a Community Paramedic, contact the Weiser Ambulance District at 208-414-4257 or email wccomedic@gmail.com.